As the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launches its 22nd Worldwide Summit in Riyadh, a new global consumer poll reveals that international travel demand is at its greatest level since the beginning of the epidemic.
63% of the more than 26,000 users from 25 countries surveyed by YouGov for WTTC want to travel for leisure purposes during the next 12 months. More than a quarter (27%) of people surveyed expect to take three or more trips within the same time, indicating that the desire to travel shows no signs of abating.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; “This global survey shows that international travel is back. As we kick off our Global Summit in Riyadh bringing together global travel leaders and governments from around the world, travelers are getting ready to explore the world again.”
“The results of this global survey also show the growing importance of sustainable travel amongst consumers.”
In addition, the poll reveals that Australians will spend the most on foreign travel in the next year, followed by those from Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. According to YouGov’s ‘global tracker,’ Saudi Arabia’s attractiveness and good image as a travel destination continue to increase, with the highest ratings among Gulf nations, along with Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Almost two-thirds of those polled (61%) said they prefer more sustainable travel companies and locations, and almost half (45%) said they would only spend their hard-earned money with socially and ecologically responsible firms. This is disclosed on the day of the highly anticipated 22nd Global Summit of the global tourism organization, which will welcome delegates from across the globe to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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